Garfield County News | 1955-02-24 | Page 96 | Isotope is Aid to Medicine, Industry

Isotope Is Aid To Medicine, Industry Expansion of peacetime uses of atomic energy can mean prosperity for the Colorado Plateau for many years to come. At the same time, no one can overemphasize the Importance of the area in the entire atomic energy picture. Several of the nation's top scientists have declared that one of the greatest power reserves of the United States la Its uranium deposits and the future of the Plateau is directly tied In with these deposits. The most promising uses for atomic energy, it appears now, are those resulting from development of radioisotopes. These are the materials resulting from the development of nature's elements such as cobalt or phosphorus when they are bombarded by radioactive uranium. Over 150 radioisotopes have already been made available for use. Amazing results are being obtained with radioisotopes In the medical field, for one. They have been used successfully In the treatment of many heretofore serious diseases such a leukemia, and in tracing and arresting certain types of cancer. Metallurgists, too, are finding Isotopes useful In studying metals and alloys, and oil companies are using them in exploratory work.